My Top Four Reasons for Reading Romance
Honestly, I could spout out a list of one-hundred reasons why I read (and write) romance novels, but really, every one of those reasons will eventually boil down to one of these four:
ONE: Falling In Love!
Whether I pick up a contemporary, suspense, paranormal, funny, serious, sweet, sexy, or so-hot-my-fingers-steam romance novel, it’s all about the love. Falling in love is such an incredible experience, isn’t it? From that initial moment of attraction, through all the ins and outs of dating, to actually falling in love with another person, there is nothing quite like it. When I read a romance novel, I get to fall in love all over again, every time I begin a new story.
TWO: The Best Escape!
Within the world of romance novels, there is nothing I can’t do while falling in love. I can chase down bad guys, cast magical spells, date a vampire (or a werewolf, ghost, pirate, etc), travel back in time, experience life in and/or on another world. I can do anything, be anywhere, experience everything…anything…I want to, and all the while fall in love all over again. Therefore, in my humble opinion, romance novels make for the best escape from our everyday lives. So when a day is especially tough for whatever reason, I can curl up on my couch with a romance novel and fall away into another life, another love, another world.
THREE: The Emotional Journey!
The emotional journey for me is about much more than falling in love. It’s everything that happens on the journey to love. Whether I laugh, cry, or both, the journey itself is all about the emotions. Sure, maybe the hero and heroine are fighting for their lives, and I’m definitely interested in how they’ll beat the bad guys, but the real pull for me exists in the emotions the author puts on the page. The best books are those I can completely lose myself in, and for the most part, all of those books have been romance novels. Perhaps this is because romance novels are about falling in love, so the authors are already attuned to writing about emotion. Regardless, one of the reasons I read is because I want to feel something, and romance books tend to deliver on this, time after time.
FOUR: The Characters!
Finally, I read romance for the characters. Who they are, what they want, how they’re going to get it…and somehow, at the end, find each other and fall in love. I’m so much more a character reader than a plot reader. What do I mean by this? If the characters are real to me, if I can see them in my head as I’m reading, if I care about what they’re going through, then I’m not as concerned if the plot falls a little flat here and there. On the other hand, give me a dynamic plot with flat characters, and that’s a book I won’t finish. So yep, for me, so much of what I need in a book is about the characters, and again, over the years and many, many books being read, I have far more romance novels on my keeper shelf than any other genre.
So, there you have it: my top four reasons for reading romance. What about you? Why do you read romance? I’d love to hear! Besides which, if you comment, you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of my debut novel, A TASTE OF MAGIC. I’ll choose a winner at random and announce who won within the comments on Wednesday, August 19th, so be sure to check back!
I read romance for the same reasons you do. And being happily married, it is the only way I can experience the excitement of falling in love ever again.
Hi Tracy,
Your 4 reasons are very good. I love that I can be transported to a different time period at any time of day, love meeting all the characters and love reading and waiting to see how and when the hero and heroine come together. Basically, I love HEA’s. It warms my heart to read Romance stories and all the steps to bring them together. Especially when I read about them Scottish Highlanders. 🙂
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
I love the characters when they have a connection right away. The sparks are there but they might not even notice it yet.
Congrats Susan! You are going to love A Taste of Magic, I could not put this book down. I am anxiously awaiting the third book 🙂 Sooo addictive
Wow, there are some great responses here! Thank you all for sharing what you love about romance!
I used random.org to choose the winner of the signed copy of A TASTE OF MAGIC, and the winner is (drum roll!) Susan Leech! Congrats! If you could email me at Tracy@TracyMadison.com with your mailing address, I’ll get the book sent out to you!
Hi Tracy. Great post. I read romance for all the reasons you listed.
I also love the interaction of the characters. I love a suspenseful plot but I have to care about the people involved also or I cannot keep reading. I love the escape and if they take me to exotic locales I love that too.
Love & Hugs,
Pam Keener in Pa
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Hi Tracy!
I loved your post. I like romance novels for all of the same reasons you do. I like the escape from everyday life that it gives and the chance to travel all over the world from my own back porch.
I’ve also learned some interesting things through romance novels and it is always amazing to see the research authors put in to the details – it really balances out the story.
Ofcourse I also love what every romance reader loves, the happily ever after. I enjoy watching the main characters grow and their relationship form into the inevitable “faliing in love” stage … or atleast the promise of relationship beyond friendship.
Warm Wishes,
Pam S
Why do I read romance books..I never really thought why because it never dawn on me to consider it. I love to hear or in this case read about couples falling in love and being happy. It is really a plus if they couple seems to be just not aware of their attraction to each other..sometimes you want to yell “hey you dummies you care for each other ” and I may even do that from time to time. Romance books takes you into a world of caring,sharing and respect for others which is great feelings to have and to share. I feel more people should read a good romance book and maybe realize how life can be a happy life. I feel too many people are together but not in the romantic aspect it is suppose to be. Reading romance books gives me a warm feeling as well and I can really relax with such a book. I am married 46 years to a great man and sure glad he doesn’t care I read about others in a romance relationship. ha I also have a co worker who reads romance for an altogether different reason. She reads the books because she won’t allow herself to get into romance herself. She lost a husband due to cancer and refuses to even consider another mate. She out numbers me in the book buying by a long shot. ha ha I just want to say to all romance writers..keep the romance flowing as there are many who lives in your books as well as reading them. susan L.